Congratulations to our Artistic Director, Brandon Elliott, who was named today as the 2022 recipient of the Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America!
The Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal was established in memory of Louis Botto for his artistry, selfless service to the choral art, and entrepreneurial spirit in founding the men’s vocal ensemble Chanticleer. The award is given periodically to a mid-career choral leader who, through their work with a member ensemble of Chorus America, has demonstrated innovative action and entrepreneurial zeal in developing a professional or professional-core choral ensemble. This is demonstrated through taking risks to create a superior artistic product; presenting adventurous programming; placing artistic achievement above personal gain; continuously advancing the artistic mission of the ensemble.
From Chorus America: "Brandon Elliott is the 2022 recipient of the Botto Award. Elliott’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurial thinking fuels his work as a champion of new music. In the ten years since he founded Orange County’s Choral Arts Initiative, the ensemble has commissioned 19 choral works and presented 70 premieres, engaging with relevant issues including privilege and racism. Elliott has also launched unique and meaningful partnerships with living composers, such as CAI’s PREMIERE|Project Festival which provides emerging composers with an in-depth workshop and commission experience. Under his leadership, CAI met the COVID-19 pandemic with a continued commitment to supporting the ensemble’s singers and collaborating artists and to investing in artistic programming, including the Spring 2022 release of CAI’s second album, From Wilderness."
Read the full Chorus America press release.